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"Gran Canaria, a mini continent " a Isla de Gran Canaria Travel Page by tompt

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"Gran Canaria, a mini continent " a Isla de Gran Canaria Travel Page by tompt

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tompt    
life is too short to see this great planet


Real Name: Gonnie + Tom
Lives In: Noordeinde, NL
Member Since: May 28, 2000
VT Rank: 97

 

Page Views: 2,986            Last Visit to Isla de Gran Canaria: January, 2005      

Gran Canaria, a mini continent

by tompt - last update: Mar 4, 2006

The rocky coast of Gran Canaria

Although Gran Canaria is a relatively small island it is also referred to as a miniature continent. It has it all, high mountain peaks, woods, green meadows, beaches. The weather can vary from snow in the mountains to beachweather in the touristarea in the south. The island is of vulcanic origin, has a round shape and is about 50 km in diameter. The highest point is the peak of Pozo de Las Nieves at 1,949 metres above sea level.

We visited the island for one week. We rented an appartment in the touristresort Playa del Ingles. Playa del Ingles is a part of the Maspalomas area, an area built for the tourists. There is nothing original here, simply because 40 years ago nobody lived along the south coast. Then they started to develop the area, with its sandy beaches for tourists. You will find hotels, appartments, bungalows and ofcourse the restaurants, bars and shops to go along with that.
Because of this it is also very international here, there are german restaurants, dutch restaurants, italian and more but you will find a few original canarian restaurants. The personal in the restaurants and bars will speak your langage and serve the food you are used to at home. If that is what you like go for it...... but if you don't like that you will have to rent a car to get away to the original canarian villages.
The dunes and sea at Maspalomas

When you drive inland you will find tourism isn't the only thing the island is living on. Many people earn money from agricultural products like tomato, banana, oranges and more. In the picture you see the valley at San Nicolas de Tolentino. All the gray plastic things are tomato plantations.

You can find more info on the island here:
http://www.grancanaria.com/
For the touristarea Maspalomas (including San Antonio and Playa del ingles):
http://www.maspalomas.com
All the plastic is covering the tomato harvest

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tompt's Isla de Gran Canaria Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 17 - Photos: 17
 
Restaurants
Tips: 8 - Photos: 8
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
Tips: 4 - Photos: 4
 
Tourist Traps
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
Warnings Or Dangers
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Transportation
Tips: 6 - Photos: 6
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 5 - Photos: 5

tompt's Isla de Gran Canaria Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
A drive in the mountains of Gran CanariaJanuary, 2005 8
Nature (plants and more), on Gran CanariaJanuary, 2005 8
Pictures of Agüimes, Gran CanariaJanuary, 2005 8
Pictures of Teror; Gran CanariaJanuary, 2005 8
People on Gran CanariaJanuary, 2005 7

Comments for tompt about Isla de Gran Canaria
MariePisces Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:12 UTC
 Dead good page :D
Victel Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:11 UTC
 It's less worth seeing now since the "finger of god" broke off 2 years ago in a storm!!!
csm101 Tue Sep 4, 2007 01:19 UTC
 Those in the photo are not tortellini: they are tagliatelle. Tortellini is a filled kind of pasta: they usually have a meat or cheese filling.
tessy Tue May 2, 2006 21:30 UTC
 Great page with lots of very helpful tips!
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